Maternity .net » Third Trimester

Leaving On a Jet Plane - a tale of flying pregnant

Samira — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:12:37 +0000

I tried very hard to forget that I was soon going to be on a plane for at least 5 hours while also being 7 months pregnant, but forgetting isn’t as easy as it may seem.

Everywhere I went people would say, “Are you sure it’s safe to fly in your condition?

”Well yes, my condition isn’t as severe as one may think. My doctor assured me that I could fly up to 35 weeks of pregnancy and so off I went…on my little flight adventure.

When I got to the airport, I found myself wondering how flying pregnant would be any different from flying in the past.I soon found out…with each bump in the sky, a second bump of equal strength manifested itself in my belly. I had to literally hold by belly from underneath, so it wouldn’t smack down with a bang.Oh…how fun that was! I was my belly’s own belt!

I also had to get up every hour to use the lavatory…thank god for aisle seating!

Flight attendants became “my friends” over the course of the flight, because I must have pressed that button at least 6 times to ask for more water, juice and soda. I think they secretly plotted to throw me off the aircraft. But luckily, the flight was over before they could put their plan into action.

I have never been so thrilled to touch ground before.

The moral of the story is…wear something that supports your pregnant belly, make sure you drink lots of fluids, but don’t forget to ask with a smile, and definitely get yourself an aisle seat!

Get a better night’s sleep in comfy PJ’s

dena — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:06:53 +0000

Getting a good night’s sleep when you’re pregnant is hard enough, but ill-fitting PJ’s can make you even more uncomfortable. When I’m pregnant, I usuall sleep in one of my husband’s T-shirts or sweatshirts, but I have found that my regular PJ bottoms, even the elasticized ones, would dig into my waist and leave an uncomfortable mark.

To find maternity PJ’s that fit right (and as an extra perk, double as nursingwear) here are a few places to start your online shopping:

Japanese Weekend

C-section multiplies risk of hysterectomy

dena — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:01:12 +0000

More unpleasant news for women undergoing c-sections, according to this article, “Caesarean mothers triple hysterectomy risk for next pregnancy.” This is the result of a study done in the UK, where up to one in three women have a Cesarean, in some parts of the country. “It found that a history of Caesarean delivery meant the mother was more at risk of needing a hysterectomy with each subsequent pregnancy.”

The article also claims that there are a growing number of women who are “too posh to push” and actually plan an operation for their own convenience. Of course an emergency Caesarean birth can be life-saving, but planned surgery is risky due to complications. The recovery is often more taxing as well.

Consultant obstetrician Professor James Walker said that having a Caesarean can cause problems in subsequent pregnancies because the placenta, or afterbirth, can grow into the scar. The scar also affects the development of the womb lining, which may lead to excessive bleeding during delivery that can only be stopped by a hysterectomy. ”A first Caesarean is a safe procedure but it leaves a scar that can increase the risks next time. There is no reason for women to be frightened, the numbers having a hysterectomy are still low, but it’s a factor that should be taken into account when discussing the balance of risks and benefits for Caesareans.”

Here we go… The Labor Story

dena — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:29:02 +0000

For anyone who likes to hear about other people’s labor and delivery… this is for you I’ll try not to draw it out too much, but you know how we love going on and on about these things…

So I started feeling contractions on Friday morning, but I didn’t even mention them to my husband, David, or sister who’s staying with us, because I wasn’t even sure I was having them. But by around 2:00 I was like, “Oh, by the way, I think I’m having contractions” and then began the super-annoying process of trying to count them and time them and all that. I didnt have much chance to focus because darn it, there was a lot to take care of before I could get around to having a baby! Finally around 3:15 we went to the hospital, becuase although the contractions were not very strong, they were getting more frequent.

I was 3 cm dialated when we got there. Accepted the enima as graciously as one can accept an enima, it’s actually kind of nice in away… You feel so cleaned out afterward! David kept saying he wished he could have one too. LOL. But they didnt offer him one…

The midwife poked me three times before getting a “good vein” for the IV, that might have been the worst part of the whole labor, the way they poke you and dig around inside your arm. Ugh! I have these huge nasty bruises where they failed to find an acceptable vein (want pictures??). So eventually the contractions got worse and I was like, OK, where’s my epidural??? For some reason it took an hour or so until the doctor was able to come and give it to me. And I was so unhappy because aside from the contractions, they made me lay there on the stupid moniter and the most uncomfortable position for me was laying on my back and I think it made me gassy, so there was extra pressure in that abdominal area and my back hurt and I was not happy about it. Even trying to turn over on my side was not helpful. And the IV was bothering me too. It was very annoying. So finally I got my epidural, but last time they gave me the type where I could administer it myself, and it was such a pleasure. This time they just gave me a little bit, and I had to ask for more becuase it wasn’t working. And once it did start working, I got the shakes and I was so cold and shaky and even though I couldnt feel the contractions I was still not a happy camper. I wanted to sleep but I couldn’t lie down becuase it was too uncomfortable, and my feet felt like ice and I was all shakey and felt wretched. *sigh* so much for my bright dreams of a peaceful, comfortable labor. But definitely better than not having the epidural at all.

Anyway at about 12:25 they checked me and there was the head! A few pushes and the head was out, and then the midwife yelled for help, and another midwife came in and together they pulled out the rest of the baby (I pushed a little to help them along, nice of me, huh?) It was kind of a funny sight with my legs every which way and the 2 midwives pulling with all their might. Funny, but probably not very pretty. Anyway, out he came, all 4 kilo of him, and as I said before I was not bowled over by the first impression. But dont worry, I am growing to love him more He is such a good, sweet little baby. And he’s a boy, so he doesn’t have to be a beauty…

Thank G-d a million time I didn’t tear, so no stitches, and it makes a world of a difference in the recovery! I feel like a normal person, and last time it was painful to go to the bathroom and even walk around! The contractions I got during nursing were pretty bad for the first few days but thankfully we are over that too. I actually feel really good (don’t tell that to my mother who’s been scrubbing my apartment, cooking and shopping for me!).

So there you have it, labor and delivery in all their exciting, glamous detail. Just glad it’s over and glad to have the little fellow out in the wide wonderful world, instead of in me! Can’t say much for the post-partum figure but I guess now we just wait patiently in our roomiest sweaters…

Does sex bring on labor?

dena — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:20:34 +0000

Some people swear it worked for them. Some people try and try and nothing happens. This study says it will bring on labor. This study says it won’t. Some are willing to try anything. Some can’t think of anything they’d like to do less.

The answer seems to be: PROBABLY NOT. I think your body will give birth when it’s ready. Wiki Answers claims that none of these so called “natural remedies” will start labour unless you have already begun to dialte, anyway. So bring on your spicy foods, vigorous walks, frequent sex…. I have a feeling none of it really makes a difference in the end.

Is being over-due dangerous?

dena — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:12:28 +0000

You would think there was something awful about to happen the minute you pass your due date, the way some women talk about it. Do an online search for “overdue” and you’ll hear tons of women moaning and weeping about how they just want the baby out already and can’t handle being pregnant any longer (and they can be just a couple days past their due date!) Like I said before, only 5% of women actually deliver on their due date. But if you are a week or more overdue, is this a cause for concern?

Although 40 weeks is just an estimate (and often miscalculated), standard policy seems to be induction at 42 weeks (that’s what happened to me last time). Those who follow this rule claim there are several risks to letting a baby stew for longer. AboutKidsHealth gives the following reasons:

The placenta can get old. The placenta grows inside your uterus and keeps the baby alive inside your body. If the placenta is getting old, it can slow down or stop your baby from growing. Alternately, if it keeps functioning some say the baby can grow “too big”, making your labour harder and longer.
There is a higher chance your baby will have some kind of problem during labour and birth if you are overdue, including insufficient oxygen.
If the liquid from the amniotic sac leaks out, the baby could get an infection.

iVillage lists these possible complications:

The risk of fetal death and stillbirth is considerably higher in postmature babies.
The risk of macrosomia (very large baby) and dysfunctional labor is higher.
There is an increased risk for operative delivery (cesarean, forceps and vacuum).
More intervention is done for postdates pregnancies (induction, monitors, IVs and testing).
The risk of infection and hemorrhage goes up slightly.
Meconium, which is often present in the fluid of a postdates baby, can be aspirated into the lungs. This necessitates suctioning and careful observation to prevent pneumonia.

But I like other ways of thinking much better. How about this one, from Birthsong: “When your body is fully ready to open up and birth your baby, it will happen. Your baby will be perfectly prepared. Your body will be fully ready.”

Compleat Mother sings the same tune: “Mothers carry everything they need within them, whether it is the wisdom and power to seek out necessary help or to give birth completely alone. During pregnancy, just like during labor, mothers don’t need to be searching for problems, but instead remaining receptive to messages their bodies give them. As a general rule just take good care of yourself and your baby, be “in tune” with your inner wisdom, and don’t let arbitrary rules and measures influence you.”

I guess this reasoning appeals to me since I’ve always been a “go with the flow” type of person. Why not let nature run it’s course, as long as you are being responsible and doing all you can to ensure a healthy baby? I’m going for the post-date monitering and ultrasounds. As long as the doctors do not sense anything going wrong, I’m content to just wait it out and let this baby come when it’s ready.

What to do when you’re Overdue

dena — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:29:36 +0000

So today is my “due date” but as I suspected would happen… nothing. No big surprise since Esther (my 2 yr old) was 2 weeks overdue (actually, she was in no hurry even after 2 weeks, and I was induced). While I’m in no hurry to have the baby out before it’s ready, I would like to avoid an induction again! And a good thing to remember is that it’s about a million times easier to be a week or two overdue with a baby, than to be taking care of that same baby, so enjoy the extra time before the little one arrives. Don’t worry, no one stays pregnant forever!

CNN Health says: It’s perfectly normal to give birth one to two weeks before or after your due date. In fact, only an estimated 5 percent of women give birth on their due dates. You’re not considered overdue until two weeks after your due date. It’s then that many doctors begin to speak of induction.

The truth is, since I was induced the last time I’m not even sure what the beginning of labor feels like. I assume that when it starts, I’ll know… but here’s a little summery of what to expect: How do I know when I am in labour?

And here are 101 things to do when you’re overdue. Some of them seem pretty silly (go dancing??) but others are practical (pack your hospital bag… buy a nursing bra…) and others would just make me crazy (practice a new position for labor) and some will make your husband crazy (page him to make sure he’s paying attention??). But hey, anything beats just sitting around waiting for a contration!

What does it mean when the baby drops?

dena — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:17:32 +0000

I saw a friend of mine today who said, “Looks like the baby dropped!” and then a lightbulb went on in my head. I hadn’t put two and two together, but I did look in the mirror yesterday and think, “Gosh this belly looks awfully low! I don’t remember it being like that before…”

When the baby drops, also known as “engagement” or “lightening” it means that it has engaged itself deeper into your pelvis, positioning itself for labor. In first pregnancies this can happen days or weeks before labor, while in subsequent pregnancies it can happen during labor. So although it’s an indication that your body is getting ready to give birth, you can’t be sure how soon labor will actually start.

The good news about engagement is that you may find it easier to breath and have less heartburn. The down side is that the additional weight in your pelvis compresses your bladder even further, and trips to the bathroom may increase. Some women find the pressure uncomfortable and may even have difficulty walking and performing other tasks. In any case, you can be aware that the baby is getting ready to exit, and look forward to the upcoming delivery of your child!

The Life of the Party

dena — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:26:00 +0000

I went to a friend’s wedding tonight and really felt like an old woman. First of all, I somehow ended up sitting at the Old Women’s table. When they don’t assign seats, I have the worst luck picking tables. Anyway, when the band struck up for the first dance, everyone rushed to the dance floor… except me and the old ladies. First of all, I was starving and I wasn’t about to be separated from my stuffed pepper. (The waiters were hovering like vultures to snatch up the plates the moment you put down that fork!) Secondly, who wants to get up and dance when you can just sit and watch? Ahhhh, what has become of me?? Just sat on my fanny and ate my stuffed pepper. And wondered when the freakin music was going to end so they could bring out the next course. I’m pregnant, I’m short on energy, and I’m always ravenous.

*Sigh* 2 more weeks to go! Then I can get back to being the life of the party…

Giving Birth: What to take to the Hospital

dena — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:15:09 +0000

Babies don’t always stick to the rules when deciding when to be born. Sometimes they are early and sometimes they are late, but since you never know when he’ll decide to make his appearence, it’s best to be prepared! Have a bag packed at least a couple weeks before your due date.

Here is a Packing List of important items:

Medical records

Hospital Registration

Birth Plan (if you have one)

Toiletries & Cosmetics

Sanitary pads (not tampons)

Clean underwear

Dressing gown & slippers

Outfit to wear home (keep it roomy!)

Nursing bra (if you have one) and nursing pads

Magazines, books, CD’s

Camera/camcorder

Snacks

Calling card/change for pay phones

Outfit and hat for baby to wear home

Baby blanket

For an even more complete checklist, try Baby Bedding Town.